Daily practice shifts brain patterns, calms the mind and inspires creativity. What could be better? Except to maybe—

7. Eat more raw chocolate.

It’s good for you and gives you the happy buzz. Happy is good. And it’s legal.

8. Throw away or, better yet, recycle useless crap.

Your physical environment mirrors your mind. Organize your life starting with the closet and desk—oh, and donate the TV.

9. Stop reading the news.

Unless it’s independent media, like elephant journal. We’re being brainwashed, in case you hadn’t noticed. Take back your power.

10. Love your mother.

Honor and obey the sacred feminine. Listen to nature, both inside and out. Find other ways of embracing the feminine. We all need nurturing, love and kindness now, including our planet. Don’t wait for someone else to make the shift—do it first.

11. Listen to your heart!

How much happier would we all be if we spent time doing what we love, instead of what we think we should do? Let your heart guide you. We’ll all be grateful, and that much closer to enlightenment.

Kim Roberts earned a M.A. in psychology from a Buddhist university and spent the next two decades bowing to bald men in red robes or white lunghis. When not meditating, counseling or writing, Kim teaches yoga and has led retreats at paradisical resorts throughout South Asia for the past 15 years. She divides her time between Thailand and Crestone, Colorado, where her nearest neighbors are the elk. Visit papayayoga.com or diaryofapilgrim.com.

About elephant journal

elephant journal is dedicated to "bringing together those working (and playing) to create enlightened society." We're about anything that helps us to live a good life that's also good for others, and our planet. >>> Founded as a print magazine in 2002, we went national in 2005 and then (because mainstream magazine distribution is wildly inefficient from an eco-responsible point of view) transitioned online in 2009. >>> elephant's been named to 30 top new media lists, and was voted #1 in the US on twitter's Shorty Awards for #green content...two years running. >>> Get involved: > Subscribe to our free Best of the Week e-newsletter. > Follow us on Twitter Fan us on Facebook. > Write: send article or query. > Advertise. > Pay for what you read, help indie journalism survive and thrive—and get your name/business/fave non-profit on every page of elephantjournal.com. Questions? info elephantjournal com

4478552 Responseshttp%3A%2F%2Fwww.elephantjournal.com%2F2013%2F01%2F11-ways-to-end-your-old-world-begin-anew-in-2013-kim-roberts%2F11+Ways+to+End+Your+Old+World+%26+Begin+Anew+in+2013.+%7E+Kim+Roberts2013-01-05+14%3A54%3A09elephant+journalhttp%3A%2F%2Fwww.elephantjournal.com%2F%3Fp%3D447855 to “11 Ways to End Your Old World & Begin Anew in 2013. ~ Kim Roberts”

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